After retiring, then unretiring, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski is set to do something in 2021 he has never done — hit free agency. One of the best to ever play the position has an interesting choice to make in the offseason, one of which could see him ride off into the sunset again.
Despite the time away from the game, Rob Gronkowski looks like his old self as free agency approaches
That in itself is a rather large statement. The former New England Patriots TE will go down as one of the greatest to ever play the tight end position.
Gronkowski spent his first nine seasons with the Patriots from 2010 to 2018. During that time, he played in 115 games where he put up Hall of Fame-caliber numbers. Gronkowski caught 521 of his 794 targets for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns.
For tight ends in their first nine seasons in the NFL, Gronkowski is third all-time in targets, 11th in receptions, and first in touchdowns.
Due to his physical play style, injuries caught up to Rob Gronkowski, leading to retirement following the 2018 season. Time away from the game to get healthy and the chance to play again with Tom Brady were enough to lure Gronkowski back to the field.
Once Brady signed with Tampa Bay, they were able to work a trade for Rob Gronkowski. Despite retiring, Gronkowski’s contractual rights remained with New England.
Rob Gronkowski quickly got his rhythm back with Brady in Tampa Bay
While some thought Rob Gronkowski would go back to his world-beating self, more realistic expectations saw this as a comfort move for Brady and addressed a need for the position. While O.J. Howard was serviceable at times, going all-in on Tom Brady only made sense to bring in his favorite target, even if it was on a limited snap count and in the red zone.
Gronkowski played on 75% of the Buccaneers’ offensive snaps in his 16 games on the team. He was Brady’s third option in the passing game.
On 77 targets, he caught 45 for 623 yards and seven touchdowns. Amongst tight ends in 2020, Gronkowski was 10th in yards and seventh in touchdowns. During the season, he saw 17.9% of Tampa Bay’s red zone targets. That was the second-most on the team behind Mike Evans and the 10th-most for NFL tight ends.
The fact Rob Gronkowski played in all 16 games is a bit of an astonishing feat on its own. He has not played in all 16 games since 2011.
While Rob Gronkowski will hit free agency in 2021, there seem to be only two logical outcomes. He re-signs with the Tampa Buccaneers or retires once and for all.
Rob Gronkowski will wait until after the season to decide on retirement or free agency
According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, when asked about returning to the Bucs in 2021, Gronkowski deferred to the offseason.
“It’s just the start of playoffs right now. There’s always a time for that.”
Gronkowski said that he would consider whether to play the 2021 season about four or five weeks after the postseason. However, in an interview with NFL GameDay Morning, Gronkowski indicated he was planning to return to Tampa Bay in 2021.
When Gronkowski announced his retirement in March of 2019, he said football had taken a toll on him. His body was beaten up, and mentally, he was done. That’s not the Gronkowski we were used to or wanted to see on the field.
At age 31, he seems to be enjoying the game as much as ever. Playing in the Florida weather probably helps. Gronkowski looks like he could keep going. He becomes an unrestricted free agent in March, meaning he has the freedom to decide for himself how to continue his career. Or whether to continue his career.
Where will Rob Gronkowski sign during free agency in 2021?
I kind of blew the lead earlier, but there have always seemed to be two likely outcomes for Rob Gronkowski when looking at what will happen during the 2021 free agency period.
If he continues, Rob Gronkowski will likely head back to Tampa Bay in free agency
Rob Gronkowski is a one QB kind of man, and I respect it. If he wants to keep playing, I can’t see him doing it with anyone else other than Brady. All of the years together have developed a chemistry that can’t be found anywhere else. He knows how to read the defense the same way as Brady and can sit down in the zone or break a route off, basically reading his mind.
According to Over The Cap, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the eighth-most cap space to play with at a projected $30.38 million. Therefore, money wouldn’t be an issue.
The organization is all-in on winning now with Tom Brady, so it would only make sense to keep the duo together. Especially with questions surrounding Chris Godwin, who will be a free agent in 2021 as well. Though, I expect the team to franchise tag him rather than have $30-35 million invested in two receivers long-term.
A deal for Gronkowski would likely be a one-year deal in the $5 million range. It would keep everyone happy for one more shot at a Super Bowl.
The other option is Rob Gronkowski doesn’t sign anywhere during the 2021 free agency period
If Gronkowski does return it will likely be to remain in Tampa Bay. If not then the beaches of Tampa Bay with a drink in his hand as he enjoys retirement. Yes, I think he has another one of two more years left in the tank, but does he have anything left to prove? It would have to be a team that’s on the doorstep of a Super Bowl and needs a tight end. He has that right now.
I find this option just as plausible as him re-signing, despite what he indicated ahead of their game with the Saints. The next chapter in his life is waiting for him. He knows that well, having just tasted it not too long ago.
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Tommy Garrett is a writer for Pro Football Network covering the NFL and fantasy football. You can read more of his work here and follow him at @TommygarrettPFN on Twitter.